Representatives from three small water companies in Otero County designated Wayne Snider to speak for them at the Otero County Commissioners meeting on Monday. Having failed once to get an organizational grant for a larger group, this small group is applying for a $10,000 grant to get organized for application for construction materials necessary to get their small companies in compliance with state regulations for supplying potable water to their customers.

By Bette McFarrenbmcfarren@ljtdmail.com

Representatives from three small water companies in Otero County designated Wayne Snider to speak for them at the Otero County Commissioners meeting on Monday. The three companies were represented at the meeting by Erick Stone, attorney; Sam Fosdick of Valley Water; Ken Wilson of Vroman Water; Bill Hancock of the Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District and George Alan Frantz. Having failed once to get an organizational grant for a larger group, this small group is applying for a $10,000 grant to get organized for application for construction materials necessary to get their small companies in compliance with state regulations for supplying potable water to their customers.

Commissioner Kevin Karney reminded the group of the legal expense involved in becoming a special district, but Snider replied that the grant money would be used only for organizational purposes to create a Rural Water Authority. Karney also brought up that construction supplies obtained through the state grants do not belong to the individual water companies and would have to be refunded if the organization is not permanent. The application for organizational fees letter was approved by the Otero County Commissioners for submission to the Colorado Dept. of Health, Public Health and Environment, Water Quality Control Division, subject to the approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with the county, which will be sent to the Valley Water Company (name under which application is filed).

The problem with the water is unacceptable levels of Radium 226 and 228. "We just want water we can drink," said Wilson. The Conduit will be a solution when it becomes reality, but in the meantime, some measures need to be taken in order to have drinkable water in the small water companies of Otero County. There are 28 small water companies, said Karney. This group wishes to create an entity flexible enough to take in other small companies later.

In the Public Trustee Report, Treasurer and Public Trustee Dennis Smith reported the number of foreclosures in the first quarter down from 29 plus one in 2012 to 20 plus one in the first quarter of 2013. He also sees as a hopeful sign that only two have been filed so far in the month of April, which is half over. Twelve deeds were issued. The interest rate on investments is down again. The total amount sent to the county treasury by the public trustee this month is $2,661.25.

The county is objecting to the latest Section l06 consultation by the Army for the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site. Grounds for the objection are failure to consult stakeholders, such as the Otero County Historic Preservation Board, the Santa Fe Trail Association, and the National Park Service. Also, 18 high powered security lights with a high profile are visible in the viewshed of the Santa Fe Trail. According to County Administrator Jean Hinkle, the proposed undertaking encompasses three distinct projects. Project 1 is relocation and additions to the Base Operations Equipment Area; Project 2 is the construction of an Equipment Holding Yard to accommodate 480 vehicles; Project 3 includes renovations to two existing clamshell buildings erected in 2010-2011. Asked what outcome is expected from the letter, Hinkle said she hopes to receive explanations for the discrepancies noted.